Texas mother Ashley Harper is accused of murdering a newborn baby
Ashley Harper, Potter County Detention Center
A 19-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday just over a week after the death of her 2-month-old daughter at a home in Amarillo, Texas, in a murder count.
Investigators from the Amarillo Police Department claim they were able to determine Ashley Kay Harper injured the baby as early as February 21, the date of the alleged murder. That evening, around 6:25 p.m., officials said, investigators responded to the W. Central Avenue residence, where the newborn had stopped breathing. It was obvious that the baby was already dead.
“A two-month-old female had died at this location when emergency services arrived. As with all infant deaths, the Amarillo Police Department Homicide Unit was called to investigate the incident,” the police department said. “During the investigation, evidence was found to place the mother, 19-year-old Ashley Harper, under arrest for harming a child.”
Although it’s not entirely clear what investigators learned about Harper’s alleged actions after February 21, a murder warrant was issued in the case seven days later. KVII has since identified itself the victim as Eva Salene Diaz. According to the report, investigators believe Harper hit the baby on the head with her hand. When asked, the defendant is said to have confessed.
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Records from the Potter County Detention Center reviewed by Law&Crime show that Harper stays there on a binding $750,000 for the murder charge. After originally claimed Harper was chargedInvestigators noted that the case is still in a pre-charge phase and that an arrest warrant was issued Tuesday to escalate the charge from assaulting a child to murder.
Texas law says The charge of first-degree child injury applies when an offender “willfully” or “knowingly” causes grievous bodily harm to a victim under the age of 14. While that charge alone is punishable by five to 99 years in prison If convicted, the murder charge could rotate in a capital case.
Prison records listed Amarillo’s defense attorney, Mike Warner, as Harper’s attorney on the case. Law&Crime contacted Warner’s office to comment on the case.
A obituary for baby Eva said she was “born on December 7, 2022 at 5:51 am and weighed a healthy 6 pounds and 9 ounces, with a full head of hair and a big smile.”
“She was an incredibly energetic and happy baby who loved her parents. She was spoiled and loved her animals. Her smile lit up the room with its bright and precious glow,” the obituary reads.
The Rector Funeral Home said the baby’s funeral would be on Wednesday morning.
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https://lawandcrime.com/crime/a-19-year-old-texas-mom-faces-murder-charge-one-week-after-she-allegedly-hit-2-month-old-happy-baby-in-the-head/ Texas mother Ashley Harper is accused of murdering a newborn baby
